Michigan Works! Association Earns International Accreditation

LANSING, MI (August 17, 2020) – The International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET) has awarded the Michigan Works! Association the prestigious Accredited Provider accreditation. IACET Accredited Providers are the only organizations approved to offer IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The accreditation period extends for five years and includes the Association’s Business Solutions Professional (BSP) program.

“The Michigan Works! Association is proud of the BSP program which educates approximately 80 Business Solutions Professionals each year in crucial workforce development skills so that our members and community partners can work effectively within a demand-driven system,” said Luann Dunsford, CEO of the Michigan Works! Association. “Our accreditation with IACET is a demonstration of our commitment to quality continuing education and high standards for all of our programs. We are very pleased to join such a prestigious organization as well as an elite group of organizations that offer excellent continuing education and training programs.”

When it comes to finding and boosting local talent, there is no substitute for a Michigan Works! Association BSP. The BSP program adds an elevated level of knowledge and expertise that assists certified professionals in discovering new approaches to addressing customer needs. Upon completion of the BSP program, individuals have a powerful understanding of how to connect community members with available assets and resources, from training grants and business consultation to tax-related incentives, education programs, and business networks, just to name a few.

“We are pleased to recognize the Michigan Works! Association as an Accredited Provider,” said Peter Finn, president of IACET and the director of Learning and Development for the Society of Women Engineers in Chicago, IL. “The Michigan Works! Association joins nearly 500 organizations around the globe that have had their programs vetted by third-party experts in continuing education thereby ensuring the highest possible standards are met.”

In order to achieve Accredited Provider accreditation, the Michigan Works! Association completed a rigorous application process, including a review by an IACET site visitor, and successfully demonstrated adherence to the ANSI/IACET 2018-1 Standard addressing the design, development, administration, and evaluation of its programs. The Michigan Works! Association has pledged its continued compliance with the Standard and is now authorized to use the IACET name and Accredited Provider logo on promotional course material. Additionally, the Michigan Works! Association is now linked to the IACET website and is recognized as offering the highest quality continuing education and training programs.

# # #

About Michigan Works!: Established in 1987, the Michigan Works! Association fosters high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan's talent development system. For more information, visit http://www.michiganworks.org, or call (517) 371-1100.

About IACET: The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) is a non-profit association dedicated to quality continuing education and training programs. IACET is the only standard-setting organization approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for continuing education and training. The ANSI/IACET Standard is the core of thousands of educational programs worldwide. For more information, please visit www.iacet.org or reach out to info@iacet.org, (703) 763-0705, ext. 107.

Michigan Works! Association Launches New Website

LANSING, MI (June 10, 2020) – The Michigan Works! Association, the state’s primary workforce development association focused on ensuring Michigan’s employers and talent pipeline have access to the sills needed to support a robust economy, is proud to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website at https://www.michiganworks.org. The new site features a streamlined, modern design, improved functionality, and easy access to important information regarding training, events, advocacy, our membership directory, and the location of Michigan Works! service centers across the state.

“We are thrilled to debut our new website to our members, statewide partners and the public,” said Luann Dunsford, CEO of the Michigan Works! Association. “This website redesign is much more user friendly and better organized, so it is easier for visitors to find the information they are looking for quickly.”

The Michigan Works! Association website will be updated on a regular basis with new in-person and webinar training opportunities, news about the Association, and the Association’s stance on advocacy issues that impact workforce development.

# # #

Established in 1987, the Michigan Works! Association fosters high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan's talent development system. For more information, visit http://www.michiganworks.org, or call (517) 371-1100.

Michigan Works! Staff Assisting Michigan Unemployment Agency with Customer Service Support

LANSING, MI (April 9, 2020) – As unemployment insurance claims continue to flood the state’s system at a record rate, Michigan Works! is working with the state’s Unemployment Insurance Agency to assist Michigan residents with questions about filing for unemployment.

“We are seeing unprecedented numbers of people filing for unemployment due to the COVID-19 crisis,” said Luann Dunsford, CEO of the Michigan Works! Association.  “Michigan Works! service centers, in many cases, are fielding over 1,000 calls per week from Michigan residents seeking assistance with navigating the unemployment system.  With so many first-time claimants right now coupled with the record number of people filing, we know it adds extra frustration and confusion so we are happy to help in any way we can.”

The impact this crisis is having on the American economy is worse than what the country saw during the 2007-2009 Great Recession.

“In its 33 years of existence, the Michigan Works! system has seen our state go through some economically devastating situations,” said Dunsford.  “In good times and in bad Michigan Works! staff are always here to assist the residents of our state with their job search and training needs.  When this crisis passes, we stand ready to get Michigan’s economy jump started and up and running at full speed again.”

As a reminder, Michiganders need to file for unemployment online with the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency through Michigan.gov/UIA or by calling 1-866-500-0017.  There is no need for unemployment claimants to register in-person at Michigan Works! once they have filed for unemployment, as that requirement has been waived during this time.

# # #

Celebrate World Health Worker Week April 5-11

Many immediate health care openings available across the state

LANSING, MI (April 8, 2020) – April 5-11, 2020 marks the eighth annual World Health Worker Week.  This year’s theme is “Leaders on the Front Line” which highlights how our health workers across the nation are putting themselves on the line, at great personal risk to themselves and their families, during this Coronavirus crisis.

While we are seeing layoffs in so many industries across the state and nation right now, the healthcare field is seeing an increased need for workers, specifically registered nurses who can help with Coronavirus screenings. Pure Michigan Talent Connect currently has a wide variety of job openings, for immediate hire, across the state, including healthcare professionals, many of which are postings for registered nurses.

Any health care workers who may have been laid off from their regular position at this time, are encouraged to check out Pure Michigan Talent Connect for current opportunities.

Nurses and other health care workers are at the forefront of COVID-19 response, providing high quality, respectful treatment and care, leading community dialogue to address fears and questions and, in some instances, collecting data for clinical studies.  Without these health care heroes, there would be no response.

“Michigan Works! is dedicated to helping Michigan residents find their best career path, including healthcare workers,” said Michigan Works! Association CEO Luann Dunsford. “During this crisis, all of us at Michigan Works! are incredibly grateful for the sacrifices our front-line health care workers are making every day to ensure our residents are being taken care of. During this international recognition week, please take a minute to do something to thank our health care workers.”

Michigan Works! Service Centers Open by Appt; COVID-19 Unemployment Claims Can Be Made Online

LANSING, MI (March 17, 2020) – As the situation surrounding the spread of Coronavirus continues to evolve, all Michigan Works! service centers remain open. To slow the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the number of visitors to Michigan Works! offices is being limited.

In order to ensure Michigan Works! clients continue to be served in a timely manner; the service centers are moving to an appointment-based system. Clients can make an appointment by contacting their local Michigan Works! service center.  A list of those service centers can be found on the Michigan Works! website.

Customers should make an appointment for services related to RESEA notices and required participation programs, such as PATH – Partnership. Accountability. Training. Hope., and the Food Assistance Employment and Training program.

Customers are still required to register for employment on Pure Michigan Talent Connect (PMTC). Clients making appointments should be prepared to answer questions about what services they need. If clients need to provide documentation, they can use an application called Tiny Scanner so they do not have to bring the documentation into a Michigan Works! office.

Unemployment claims can be filed online at Michigan.gov/UIA or by calling 1-866-500-0017. Impacted workers were formerly required to appear in-person at a Michigan Works! service center but that requirement has been waived because of the public health emergency. 

“The top priority of the Michigan Works! Association is the health and safety of our communities and the Michigan Works! staff,” said Michigan Works! Association CEO Luann Dunsford. “We know this is a very uncertain time for both clients and staff. We continue to monitor the situation and update the approach to service delivery in cooperation with guidelines from local, state, and federal authorities. Michigan Works! service centers are committed to assisting all Michiganders who need assistance during this difficult time. We are in regular communication with our counterparts at the State of Michigan and will provide further updates as they become available.”

# # #

Michigan Works! Applauds Lawmakers for Restoring Going Pro Talent Fund Money To FY 2020 State Budget

LANSING, MI (March 10, 2020) – Luann Dunsford, CEO of the Michigan Works! Association released the following statement in response to the passage of Senate Bill 151, which restores $15 million to the FY 2020 state budget to fund the Going PRO Talent Fund program:

 “We applaud the Michigan legislature for their commitment to restoring money to the FY 2020 state budget in order to continue providing grants to Michigan businesses so they can provide critical training for both current employees and new hires.

 “The passage of Senate Bill 151 provides $15 million, in FY 2020, that will be awarded to employers across the state to help them meet the challenges they have with locating, training and retaining the talent needed to remain competitive with other states as well as around the world.

 “While we are grateful for the $15 million this year, it is a much lower level than the program has been funded at in the past.  It is imperative that the FY 2021 budget appropriation is at an amount that matches the increasing demand for this program. 

 “Since the inception of the Talent Fund program in 2014, nearly $100 million has been awarded to more than 3,000 businesses across the state, resulting in the retention of 72,542 jobs.

 “The need for highly-skilled talent has never been greater in our state.  We will be facing a professional trades workforce gap of over 545,000 job openings by 2026.  Going PRO Talent Fund has proven to be one of the most effective resources available to address Michigan’s talent crisis. The restoration of this funding is an important part of bridging the talent gap.”

 # # #

Michigan Works! Executive Paul Griffith Recognized as Champion of Workforce Development

SEPTEMBER 9, 2019

Contact: Steph Willis
p: 517.371.1100 ext. 204
cell: 517.420.5137
communications@michiganworks.org

Michigan Works! Executive Paul Griffith Recognized as Champion of Workforce Development

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (Sep. 9, 2019) – The Michigan Works! Association honored Paul Griffith, Monday for his service, dedication to and long-time support of, the state’s talent and economic development efforts. Named the Michigan Works! Association 2019 Champion of Workforce Development, Griffith received the award at the association’s annual conference in Kalamazoo
this afternoon.

“Champions of Workforce Development are honored agency leaders who exemplify the highest standards of leadership and who have made significant contributions to workforce development in Michigan,” said Luann Dunsford, chief executive officer of the Michigan Works! Association.

“Paul is a perfect choice as he has dedicated his career to helping others better their lives through Michigan Works! programs.”

In his role as executive director of Michigan Works! West Central, Griffith spent more than four decades overseeing programs to help employers utilize training opportunities, using federal and
state funds to better prepare the unemployed to find jobs, while watching the entire system consolidate for different degrees of efficiency through five different governors.

“Notable successes under Paul’s leadership include expanding the local Michigan Works! region to include a sixth county and serving as the administrative agency under contract with the Michigan Department of Corrections for the Prisoner Reentry program,” said Dunsford. “Initially based in a rural nine-county area, and serving about 400 parolees a year, the renamed Offender Success program has grown to cover an urban/rural 13-county area, serving 1,400 parolees a year.”

Griffith retired in March 2019 after serving Michigan’s workforce system for 44 years.

“Paul is truly impassioned about workforce development and helping his fellow citizens, especially veterans and ex-offenders, in West Central Michigan find the right opportunities to build their careers,” said Dunsford. “Our Michigan Works! network is stronger for having Paul as a part of it and we are honored to have the opportunity to recognize him today as a Champion of Workforce Development.”

Michigan Works! West Central offers services to Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana and Osceola counties.

# # #

Established in 1987, the Michigan Works! Association fosters high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan's talent development system. For more information, visit http://www.michiganworks.org, or call (517) 371-1100.

Firekeepers Casino Hotel Recognized as Employer of the Year by Michigan Works! Association

SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

Contact: Steph Willis
p: 517.371.1100 ext. 204
cell: 517.420.5137
communications@michiganworks.org

Firekeepers Casino Hotel Recognized as Employer of the Year by Michigan Works! Association

KALAMAZOO, MI (Sep 10, 2019) – The Michigan Works! Association honored FireKeepers Casino Hotel on Tuesday for its commitment to training and developing a pipeline of skilled and competent talent in Michigan. Named the Michigan Works! Association Employer of the Year, FireKeepers received its award at the association’s annual conference in Kalamazoo.

“FireKeepers has been a vital partner of Michigan Works! Southwest in building a workforce of proficient and satisfied individuals in Calhoun County and beyond,” said Luann Dunsford, CEO of the Michigan Works! Association.

Ben Damerow, Director, Michigan Works! Southwest, echoed Dunsford’s sentiments.

“FireKeepers’ contributions to building a strong workforce development system throughout the Southwest Michigan area have been both innovative and effective,” said Damerow. “Whether it’s through their ample and diverse employment opportunities, participation in community engagement efforts or support of Michigan Works! Southwest, FireKeepers’ commitment to increasing local prosperity has been a valuable asset to our community.”

An employer who believes in supporting equitable prosperity for all, FireKeepers recently gave $5.75 million to local governments, school districts and other public bodies in Calhoun County as part of their local revenue sharing, and an additional $18,494,687 to the state of Michigan. This is the tenth time FireKeepers has distributed revenue sharing checks since its opening in 2009.

“FireKeepers also owns The Fire Hub, a restaurant located in a historic fire station that gives back to the community through multiple programs,” Dunsford said. “One program, the Kendall Street Pantry, works in conjunction with the Food Bank of South Central Michigan to distribute food to the less fortunate. The second program is a large greenhouse that is utilized to grow food with the goal of providing a free salad bar for schools in downtown Battle Creek. The last program is a fund that receives 80 percent of all restaurant profits to support local charities.”

Additionally, FireKeepers is actively supportive of Aequitas Mobility Services, a new transportation start-up focused on alleviating transportation barriers that prevent individuals from obtaining and retaining employment.

Frank Tecumseh, Vice President of Human Resource for FireKeepers, said the company is honored to receive this award.

“On behalf of our 1,800 team members, we are so excited to have been selected as Employer of the Year,” said Tecumseh. “Our continued vision is to be an employer of choice in the Midwest and to receive this award is truly validation of our goal. Being recognized by Michigan Equal opportunity employer/trainer. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Works! is also special as we have immense respect for what they do to support the Michigan workforce and the services they provide to the community.”

FireKeepers has created a unique gaming destination in the Midwest, which currently provides over 1,800 jobs for the local community.

# # #

Established in 1987, the Michigan Works! Association fosters high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan's talent development system. For more information, visit http://www.michiganworks.org, or call (517) 371-1100.

Rey Guzman Recognized as Collaborator of the year by Michigan Works! Association

SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

Contact: Steph Willis
p: 517.371.1100 ext. 204
cell: 517.420.5137
communications@michiganworks.org

Rey Guzman Recognized as Collaborator of the Year by Michigan Works! Association

KALAMAZOO, MI (Sep 10, 2019) – The Michigan Works! Association honored Rey Guzman, talent development liaison for the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity – Workforce Development, on Tuesday for his commitment to workforce and economic development. Named the Michigan Works! Association 2019 Collaborator of the Year, Guzman received the award at the association’s annual conference in Kalamazoo.

In his role as talent development liaison, Guzman is responsible for engaging employers and educators to comprehensively address talent needs focused on mid- and long-term development skill gaps in key industries in each region statewide.

Rey always works hand-in-hand with his local Michigan Works! partners,” said Luann Dunsford, Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Works! Association. “He has a commitment to excellence and drive for getting the job done that not many people possess. Rey epitomizes the definition of leadership, by inspiring others and influencing outcomes through his service-based leadership skills.”

Guzman is also a member of the Capital Area Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board where he actively engages with private and public sector board members to discuss talentrelated
topics. He also participates in career exploration and planning activities that are crucial to building the talent pipeline.

Guzman was nominated for Collaborator of the Year Award by the Capital Area Michigan Works!.

“I am truly honored and humbled to receive this award and to be recognized by the Michigan Works! Association and all the Michigan Works! Agencies that are our most valued partners,” said Guzman.

# # #

Established in 1987, the Michigan Works! Association fosters high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan's talent development system. For more information, visit http://www.michiganworks.org, or call (517) 371-1100.

Chris Holman Recognized as Volunteer of the Year by Michigan Works! Association

SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

Contact: Steph Willis
p: 517.371.1100 ext. 204
cell: 517.420.5137
communications@michiganworks.org

Chris Holman Recognized as Volunteer of the Year by Michigan Works! Association

KALAMAZOO, MI (Sep 10, 2019) – The Michigan Works! Association honored Chris Holman, director of Michigan Business Network, on Tuesday for his dedication to the growth and promotion of Michigan Works!. Named the Michigan Works! Association 2019 Volunteer of the Year, Holman received the award at the association’s annual conference in Kalamazoo today.

“In addition to his long-standing service to the Workforce Development Board, Chris has served on a number of committees and executive committees,” said Luann Dunsford, Chief Executive
Officer of the Michigan Works! Association. “Through his role with the Michigan Future Business Index and Michigan Business Network, he has ensured our team members are connected with
businesses and has worked to educate the business community of the role and value of Capital Area Michigan Works! (CAMW) in talent attraction and growth in the region. Chris’s hard work
and dedication make him the perfect choice for the Volunteer of the Year Award.”

Holman is the founder and CEO of Michigan Business Network. For over 40 years, Holman has used his skills as an entrepreneur to successfully start businesses, launch magazines, run companies, serve on community boards, and host various talk show programs on both radio and the internet. He currently hosts Michigan Business Network’s Michigan Business Beat.

Holman was nominated for Volunteer of the Year Award by CAMW!.

“In 2006, when CAMW! approached Chris about a possible initiative to provide business leadership for the region’s education community, he accepted his then unknown responsibilities without a moment’s hesitation,” said Dunsford. “For the past 12 years, Chris has served as the official, and at times, unofficial chair of T3: Teach. Talent. Thrive, CAMW’s Career Educational Advisory Council. As the region and its needs have evolved, Chris donated countless hours to the realignment and reinvention of Keep Learning. He rallied fellow business leaders to serve as the founders of the organization’s business council and still serves a co-chair.”

Holman said he is honored to receive this award.

“I am accepting this award on behalf of so many others, many of whom are much more deserving,” said Holman. “The true award however, is being able to give my time and energy and be part of such a great team working on behalf of such a marvelous cause. To give people their livelihoods is to give them back their value and self-worth. This is noble work and I am gratified to have been a small part of it.”

# # #

Established in 1987, the Michigan Works! Association fosters high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan's talent development system. For more information, visit http://www.michiganworks.org, or call (517) 371-1100.